epstein



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

" A. EPSTEIN.

METAL FOLDING TABLE. I 5N0. 561,212. Patented June 2, 1896.

ANDREW BERMIAM,FMOI'DUMDVWASNINGTUKDC.

2 t e e h S F t e e h S 2 N I E T P E A (No Model.)

METAL FOLDING TABLE.

No. 561,212. Patented June 2, 1896.

NI-TED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

ALBERT EPSTEIN, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

METAL FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,212, dated June 2, 1896.

Application filedJnly 5,1894. Serial No. 516,640. (No model.) Patented in England January 12, 1894, No. 748, and June '7,1894,No.11,053; in France January 27, 1894, No 235,846, and in Belgium June 1, 1894,1To. 110,244.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT EPSTEIN, a subject of the King of Prussia, German Emperor, and a resident of the city of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Metal Folding Tables or Like Pieces of Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has been patented to me in Great Britain, No. 748, dated January 12, 1894, and No. 11,053, dated June 7, 1894; in France, No. 235,846, dated January 27, 1894, and in Belgium, No. 110,244, dated June 1, 1894.

My invention consists in novel features of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my said invention may be properly understood, I will refer to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my improved table. Fig. 2 is an under side view thereof to a reduced scale. Fig. 3 is a plan view of an oval table inverted. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing a flanged holder and the upper portion of a tubular table-leg engaging thereover. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a modification. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the end flanges having tubes and the spring-arms of the staple engaging therewith. Figs. '7 and 7 are detail sectional views showing the tube-plate Whereby the staple is adapted to lock the hinge-joint.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing a clip' or holder embracing a detached tubular tableleg. Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a table, on reduced scale, as it appears when collapsed or folded up.

The table-top is made of sheet-steel and is formed in two halves or parts, which are conneeted or jointed together at the middle part of the table by means of ahinge B The table-top is provided with a top plate B, with inner flanges B, carrying the hinge B with end flanges B with side flanges B and on its under side, at suitable places, with holders-such as spring-clips 19, Figs. 2, 3, and 8, or buttons 0, Fig. 3. The shape and construction of the spring-clips b are shown more particularly at Fig. 8 than at Fig. 2. The

clips or buttons are intended to hold the legs F when detached from the table-top. The legs of the table are also made of sheet metal. They are each provided at their lower ends with a bottom flanged piece Z, and at their upper ends they are secured to the top plate B by means of slotted cylindrical flanged holders K or K riveted to the top plate. The flanged holders K (see Fig. 4) have sufficient spring or elasticity inthem to firmly grip or hold the legs in position when they are pushed telescopewise over them. Instead of securing the legs in this manner theymay be fixed to the holders K (see Fig. 5) by means of pins K, formed on or fitted in the holders, and which are caused to enter slots K (see dotted lines) out in the legs. In this case the legs are secured by merely fitting them in place and then turning them around, so as to cause the pins to enter the horizontal part of the slots K The riveting of the holders is so arranged as to be countersunk in the top of the flanges of the cast-metal holders K K which are previously drilled for the purpose. The perforations for the reception of the rivets in the top plate B are of such a size as to only allow the shank of each rivet to pass. WVhen riveting, the plate B is previously pressed by a stamp into the drilled openings of the castmetal holders for the purpose of preventing, especially in the case of thin plates, the tearing through of the rivet-heads.

When the legs are symmetrically arranged, the holders engage together after the manner of claws as soon as the top plate B is folded.

When it is desired to transport the table, the legs are removed from their holders and laid in their clips 1), Figs. 2, 3, and 8, and both parts of the table-top are closed. To prevent these parts opening, I use a locking-staple, Fig. 6, having two spring-arms f, which fit telescopewise in tubes g, fixed in the front of each half or part of the table-top, as shown. The locking-staple is provided with a handle a, which moves stiflly on account of its own resiliency. The locking-staple is also used pushed through holes j in the inner flanges B and into corresponding sockets Z, formed in a plate 1), riveted to the table-top at the back of the hinge-joint. \Vhen thus inserted, the staple eflectually locks the hinge-joint and prevents either part of the table shifting i or turning.

The parts or halves of the table-top are each made out of one piece of sheet metal,

and they are provided, for convenience in handling, with a stiffening-piece, such as m' The sides consist of a closed frame, the neighboring or adjoin- 1 ing walls of which form a hinge-joint 13'', con- 1 or on. (See Figs. 4 and 5.)

neeted by a brass pin.

If desired, the rivets could screws. l'lavingthus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

be replaced by 1. A piece of furniture comprising a folding top formed with a top plate, end flanges, tubes extending through the end flanges, and the staple for supporting the article, having spring-arms fitting in the tubes substantially as described.

2. A piece of furniture comprising a folding top formed with a top plate, inner flanges having holes and hinged together, a plate formed with sockets and secured to the top plate and the staple, having spring-arms iitting through the holes and into the sockets; substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT EPSTEIN. Witnesses:

HANS Baum-Rum, GEonG l-Imz. 

